2 LA detectives ambushed returning to station

A suspect appeared as they were entering the station and began firing — the officers suffered minor injuries

By Robert Jablon
Associated Press

LOS ANGELES —A black-clad gunman ambushed two detectives returning to a police station early Tuesday, but they received only minor injuries and were helping in the hunt for the attacker, police said.

Police cordoned off 25 square blocks of the Mid-City area, detained three or four people for questioning and planned to look at surveillance video from homes and businesses in the area, Cmdr. Andrew Smith said.

Portions of the busy area would remain locked down until at least noon, Smith said.

"Anybody who's willing to do this and take on two armed police officers outside of a police station is obviously a very dangerous person," Smith said. "We want to do everything we can to get this individual in custody so we can keep our community safe."

The detectives, who are with an undercover burglary task force, had conducted an investigation and returned to the Wilshire Division station on Venice Boulevard at about 4:30 a.m. Tuesday. They were using a keycard to open the gate when they were attacked, police said.

"Suddenly someone from behind began shooting at their vehicle," Smith said.

The car was hit several times and the detectives fired back, but the man ran away, Smith said at a later news conference.

"That was a blatant attempt to assassinate two of the people who protect this community," Police Chief Charlie Beck told the city Police Commission.

One officer suffered a minor wound to the back of his head, either from a bullet graze or debris from the damaged car, Smith said. The other had an injury to the back of his hand. They were treated at a hospital and returned to a command post for the manhunt.